From wiping windows to scrubbing cast iron, there's no task steel wool can't handle.
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Many of us have a ball of steel wool lying around the house. After all, steel wool is an excellent tool for everything from scrubbing dishes to stripping paint. However, different grades of steel wool are best suited to different tasks.
This week, Reddit user calbert1735 proved this point when they posted a chart on steel wool grades to r/coolguides. The chart surprised Reddit users, many of whom didn’t know different grades of steel wool existed.
With this in mind, here is our guide to the eight different grades of steel wool, including what each coarseness is best suited for.
Grade 0000 is the finest grade of steel wool. It is best used for cleaning windows and glass. Do not use any liquid cleaners when cleaning glass with 0000 super fine steel wool.
Extra fine wool is excellent for use on furniture and household items. For example, when combined with soap and water, grade 000 steel wool can strip wax and polish from furniture. Additionally, it can be used to clean the metal base of an electric iron.
Very fine steel wool is appropriate for a variety of different materials, from metal to leather. It works especially well to clean golf clubs, screens, metal lawn furniture, and metal wheels. It can also be used on suede or leather to remove slight burns.
Fine-grade steel wool is perfect for cleaning the bathroom. Its fine but sturdy textures is well suited for cleaning tiles, grout, porcelain, and even shower doors. When using it on these surfaces, add a scouring powder like Barkeeper’s Friend or Bon Ami for maximum strength.
Heading into the heavier steel wools, grade 1 wool is best suited to linoleum. In addition to scrubbing linoleum floors, medium steel wool works well on grimier surfaces, like the soles of shoes or even bowling balls. Medium-grade steel wool can even be used to keep pests out of your house.
If you’re looking to buff your floors, grade 2 steel wool is for you! The somewhat heavy wool is great for getting the grime off, such as wax or scuff marks. Additionally, if your home has any glass block features, medium coarse steel wool can be used to clean those too.
Grade 3 steel wool is a heavy hitter. Only whip out this course wool for rough metal or stone surfaces. If used on anything softer, it runs the risk of scratching your valuables. Grade 3 wool is especially useful for removing rust.
Extra coarse steel wool is designed for the most hardcore jobs. Use this hearty wool for sanding off paint, rust, varnish and dirt. It is most appropriate for outdoor wooden items, like patio furniture. Only use grade 4 wool when you’re trying to fully strip an item; it’s too rough for delicate cleaning jobs or subtle scrubbing.
Originally Published: July 31, 2023
Van Van CleaveVan Van Cleave (they/them) is a California-based journalist, environmentalist, and artist. A graduate of Brown and Oxford Universities, they specialize in environmental news coverage and sustainable home and garden solutions. When they're not writing, they are typically tending to their plants or experimenting with home design trends.
